Why it matters:
Grossi’s remarks signal continued diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington despite recent U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities and ongoing political pressure from Western governments.
The big picture:
Grossi told Foreign Policy that a “very confidential and specific process” is underway, aimed at defining a possible point of convergence between Iran and the U.S.
He acknowledged that the future shape of Iran’s nuclear program — and the fate of its nuclear materials — lies at the heart of the negotiations.
The IAEA says its role is to provide technical support and strict verification to ensure non-proliferation assurances.
What he’s saying:
Rafael Grossi said there is currently a very confidential and specific process underway in which both sides are trying to define a possible point of convergence. It is not easy, because what is at stake is the fate of the material and, more importantly, what Iran’s nuclear program will look like in the future.
He added that there is a need for political will on both sides. The agency aims to support a practical and workable arrangement.
“I have seen no lack of focus from Steve Witkoff or Jared Kushner. They are fully concentrated on what they are doing.”
On war and inspections:
Grossi rejected claims that a previous IAEA report helped justify Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
“That report clearly stated we had no information indicating Iran had or has a nuclear weapons program. Any suggestion that we colluded to provoke war is absurd.”
He acknowledged that the 12-day war marked a turning point, saying targeted facilities are “no longer operational,” though inspectors have not yet revisited the damaged sites.
Go deeper:
Cooperation between Iran and the IAEA faced restrictions after illegal U.S. and Israeli attacks on its safeguarded nuclear sites.
On September 9, Iran and the IAEA reached a technical understanding on managing cooperation under new legal conditions.
However, continued political pressure by the U.S. and the European troika — including an anti-Iran resolution at the Board of Governors — led to a halt in implementing that understanding.
Mojtaba Darabi - ahmad shirzadian
